Self standing medal

ABSTRACT

A self standing achievement medal that can be worn about the neck of the user in a conventional manner, or alternatively, when not being worn, can be conveniently and attractively displayed on a flat surface, such as found on a desk or bookshelf. The achievement medal includes a plate-like display surface upon which various decorations and indicia can be conveniently imprinted or engraved and a pivotally mounted, generally U-shaped support that can be conveniently moved from a stowed configuration to an extended configuration wherein the medal can be supported on a flat surface in a manner such that the indicia provided on the display surface of the medal is readily visible.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to awards. More particularly the invention concerns a self standing award medal.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

To commemorate achievement in fields such as sports, business and academics, it has become common practice to award achieving individuals various types of certificates, plaques, ribbons, medals and the like. For example, well known types of medals include the Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals which are awarded at the Olympics and like sporting events. The conventional prior art award medal generally consists of a disc-shaped plate that is typically formed by well-known molding and casting techniques and is suspended on a chain or ribbon that is worn about the neck of the recipient. In many instances the disk shaped medal includes brightly colored decorative designs and often is engraved with indicia such as “first place”, “second place” and the like. While the relatively heavy weight of conventional, prior art medals provides a gratifying feel when worn by the recipient, because of their weight the medals are generally worn only on special occasions. When the medal is not being worn, the recipient often wishes to display the medal for viewing by others. However, the prior art offers little in the way of convenient means for appropriately displaying achievement medals.

In recognition of this prior art deficiency, the thrust of the present invention is to provide an achievement medal of a unique design that can be worn by the recipient in a conventional manner and when not in use can be conveniently and attractively displayed on any type of flat surface, such as a desk, bookshelf or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By way of brief summary, one form of the achievement medal of the present invention comprises a body portion having a front, plate-like display surface, a rear surface, and first and second sides, each side having an upper portion, a lower portion and an intermediate portion. A first, outwardly extending pivot pin is connected to the first side proximate its intermediate portion and a second outwardly extending pivot pin is connected to the second side proximate its intermediate portion. To conveniently support the achievement medal on a flat surface for display purposes, a generally U-shaped support member is pivotally connected to the first and second pivot pins for movement between a first stowed or folded position and a second extended, medal display position.

With the forgoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved achievement medal that can be worn about neck of the user in a conventional manner, or alternatively, when not being worn, can be conveniently and attractively displayed on a flat surface, such as found on a desk or bookshelf.

Another object of the invention is to provide an achievement medal of the aforementioned character that includes a plate-like display surface upon which various decorations and indicia can be conveniently imprinted or engraved.

Another object of the invention is to provide an achievement medal as described in the preceding paragraphs that embodies a compact, easy to use support means provided in the form of a pivotally mounted, generally U-shaped support that can be conveniently moved from a stowed configuration to an extended configuration wherein the medal can be supported on a flat surface in a manner such that the indicia provided on the display surface of the medal is readily visible.

Another object of the invention is to provide an award medal that can be of various configurations and can embody a wide variety of colorful ornamental designs.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved achievement medal of the class described that is of a generally rugged construction, is durable in use and yet is of a simple design that can be economically mass produced.

These and other objects of the invention will be achieved by the novel improved achievement medal of the invention as illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the specification which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a generally perspective, exploded view of one form of the self standing achievement medal of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a generally perspective view of the self standing achievement medal illustrated in FIG. 1 as it appears in an assembled configuration with the medal support in a folded configuration.

FIG. 3 is a generally perspective view of the self standing achievement medal illustrated in FIG. 2, but showing the medal support in an extended configuration.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged right side view of the self standing medal.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged left side view of the self standing medal.

FIG. 6 is a generally perspective, rear view of the self standing medal of the invention showing the medal support in phantom lines.

FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary view of the area designated in FIG. 6 as 7-7.

FIG. 8 is a generally perspective front view of an alternate form of self standing achievement medal of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a generally perspective rear view of the alternate form of self standing achievement medal of the invention showing the medal support in phantom lines.

FIG. 10 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary view of the area designated in FIG. 9 as 10-10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 7, one form of the self standing achievement medal of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral 14. The achievement medal 14 here comprises a body 16 having a front substantially flat, plate-like display surface 18, a rear surface 20, and a continuous peripheral portion in the form of an outer rim or sidewall. An upstanding decorative overlay 21 is affixed to body portion 16. A variety of decorative and informative indicia can be affixed to and imprinted on overlay 21 and on display surface 18

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, body 16 has a first side 22 having an upper portion 22 a, a lower portion 22 b and an intermediate portion 22 c. Similarly, body 16 has a second side 24 having an upper portion 24 a, a lower portion 24 b and an intermediate portion 24 c. For a purpose presently to be described, a first pivot pin 26 is connected to and extends outwardly from first side 22 proximate the intermediate portion 22 c thereof. Similarly, a second pivot pin 28 is connected to and extends outwardly from second side 24 proximate the intermediate portion 24 c thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, body 16 includes a curved top portion 16 a having an aperture 30 provided therein and a curved bottom portion 16 b.

An important feature of the self standing achievement medal of the present invention is the support member 36 that is pivotally connected to body portion 16 for movement between a first folded position shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings and a second extended position shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. As best seen in FIG. 1, support member 36 is generally “U” shaped in configuration and includes a pair of spaced apart, generally parallel legs 38 and 40. Connected to and spanning legs 38 and 40, is bight portion 42. Bight portion 42 includes a centrally disposed flat portion 42 a to provide better engagement with the supporting surface (see FIG. 3). Legs 38 and 40 of the bight portion 42 are provided with bores 43 that are adapted to closely receive pivot pins 26 and 28 in the manner indicated in FIG. 7 of the drawings so that the leg is able to pivot about the pivot pins. As illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings, when the support member 36 is in its folded configuration the curved bight portion 42 is disposed in close proximity with said curved lower portion of body 16.

In the construction illustrated in the drawings and described in the preceding paragraphs, when the recipient desires to wear the medal assembly about his or her neck, support member 36 is folded into the stowed position shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. When the recipient desires to display the medal on a desk top, bookshelf or the like, support member 36 is pivoted about pivot pins 26 and 28 into the extended position shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, wherein the lower portion 16 b of the body and the flat 42 a of the support member engage the supporting surface in a manner to clearly display to the observer the indicia provided on the face of the medal assembly.

Referring next to FIGS. 8 through 10 of the drawings, an alternate form of the self standing achievement medal of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral 54. This latest form of the achievement medal of the invention is similar in some respects to that shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 of the drawings and here comprises a generally circular shaped body 56 having a front substantially flat, plate-like display surface 58, a rear surface 60 (FIG. 9), and a continuous peripheral portion in the form of an outer rim or sidewall. An upstanding decorative, rim-like overlay 61 is affixed to the upper portion of the body. As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, a wide variety of decorative and informative indicia can be affixed to and imprinted on overlay 61 and on display surface 58

Body 56 has a first side 62 having an intermediate portion 62 a and a second side 64 having an intermediate portion 64 a. For a purpose presently to be described, a first pivot pin 66 is connected to and extends outwardly from first side 62 proximate the intermediate portion 62 a thereof. Similarly, a second pivot pin 68 is connected to and extends outwardly from second side 64 proximate the intermediate portion 64 a thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 9 of the drawings, rim-like overlay 61 includes a curved top portion 61 a having an aperture 70 provided therein that is adapted to receive a length of neck ribbon and can be used to support the medal about the recipients neck in a conventional manner.

As in the earlier embodiment, an important feature of the self standing achievement medal of this latest form of the present invention is the support member 76 that is pivotally connected to body portion 62 for movement between a first folded position shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings and a second extended position shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings. As best seen in FIG. 9, support member 76 is generally “U” shaped in configuration and includes a pair of spaced apart curved legs 78 and 80. Connected to and spanning legs 78 and 80, is bight portion 82. Bight portion 82 includes a centrally disposed flat portion 82 a to provide better engagement with the supporting surface (see FIG. 8). Legs 78 and 80 of the bight portion 82 are provided with bores 83 (see FIG. 10) that are adapted to closely receive pivot pins 66 and 68 in the manner indicated in the drawings.

As the construction illustrates in the drawings and described in the preceding paragraphs, when the recipient desires to wear the medal assembly about his or her neck, support member 76 is folded into the stowed position shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings. When the recipient desires to display the medal on a desk top, bookshelf or the like, support member 76 is pivoted about pivot pins 66 and 68 into the extended position shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, wherein the lower portion of the body and the flat portion 82 a of the support member engage the supporting surface in a manner to clearly display to the observer the indicia provided on the face of the medal assembly.

Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims: 

1. A self standing achievement medal comprising: (a) a body having a front display surface, a rear surface, a first side having an upper portion, a lower portion and an intermediate portion; and a second side, having an upper portion, a lower portion and an intermediate portion; a first pivot pin connected to said first side proximate said intermediate portion thereof and a second pivot pin connected to said second side proximate said intermediate portion thereof; and (b) a support member pivotally connected to said body portion for movement between a first folded position and a second extended position.
 2. The self standing achievement medal as defined in claim 1 further including an upstanding decorative overlay affixed to said upper portion of said body.
 3. The self standing achievement medal as defined in claim 1 further including a length of chain interconnected with said upper portion of said body.
 4. The self standing achievement medal as defined in claim 1 in which said upper portion and said lower portion of said body are curved.
 5. The self standing achievement medal as defined in claim 4 in which said support member is generally “U”-shaped and includes first and second legs interconnected by a curved bight portion.
 6. The self standing achievement medal as defined in claim 5 in which said first and second legs of said “U”-shaped support member are pivotally interconnected with said first and second pivot pins.
 7. The self standing achievement medal as defined in claim 6 in which said curved bight portion of said “U”-shaped support member is disposed in close proximity with said curved lower portion of said body when said support member is in said first folded position.
 8. A self standing achievement medal comprising: (a) a body having a front display surface, a rear surface, a first side having a curved upper portion, a curved lower portion and an intermediate portion; and a second side, having a curved upper portion, a curved lower portion and an intermediate portion; a first pivot pin connected to said first side proximate said intermediate portion thereof and a second pivot pin connected to said second side proximate said intermediate portion thereof; and (b) a support member pivotally connected to said body portion for movement between a first folded position and a second extended position, said support member being generally “U”-shaped and having first and second legs interconnected by a curved bight portion.
 9. The self standing achievement medal as defined in claim 8 in which said curved bight portion of said support member is provided with a surface engaging flat.
 10. The self standing achievement medal as defined in claim 9, further an upstanding decorative overlay affixed to said upper portion of said body.
 11. The self standing achievement medal as defined in claim 11 further including decorative indicia formed on at least one of said front display surfaces and said upstanding decorative overlay.
 12. The self standing achievement medal as defined in claim 12 in which said first and second legs of said “U”-shaped support member are pivotally interconnected with said first and second pivot pins.
 13. The self standing achievement medal as defined in claim 13 in which said curved bight portion of said “U”-shaped support member is disposed in close proximity with said curved lower portion of said body when said support member is in said first folded position.
 14. A self standing achievement medal comprising: (a) a body having a front display surface, a rear surface, a first side having a curved upper portion, a curved lower portion and an intermediate portion; and a second side, having a curved upper portion, a curved lower portion and an intermediate portion; a first pivot pin connected to said first side proximate said intermediate portion thereof and a second pivot pin connected to said second side proximate said intermediate portion thereof; (b) an upstanding decorative overlay affixed to said upper portion of said body; and (c) a support member pivotally connected to said body portion for movement between a first folded position and a second extended position, said support member being generally “U”-shaped and having first and second legs interconnected by a curved bight portion.
 15. The self standing achievement medal as defined in claim 15 further including decorative indicia formed on at least one of said front display surfaces and said upstanding decorative overlay.
 16. The self standing achievement medal as defined in claim 15 in which said body portion is generally circular in shape.
 17. The self standing achievement medal as defined in claim 15 in which said first and second legs of said “U”-shaped support member are pivotally interconnected with said first and second pivot pins.
 18. The self standing achievement medal as defined in claim 15 in which said curved bight portion of said support member is provided with a surface engaging flat.
 19. The self standing achievement medal as defined in claim 15 in which said curved bight portion of said “U”-shaped support member is disposed in close proximity with said curved lower portion of said body when said support member is in said first folded position. 